Web tensioning device



April 2, 1935. e. 1.. BEZOLD WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1934 4Sheets-Sheet 1 (Z gfNVENTO V MTTORN EYS April 2, 1935. G. L. BEZOLD WEBTENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 3, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 14 0174 7- WedATTO RNEYS April 1935. L. BEZOLD v 1,996,636

WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 5 WM 7 Wood ATTORNEYS INVENTOR April 2, 1935. s. L. BEZOLD WEB TENSIONING DEVICE FiledFeb. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 2, 1935 UNITED STATES WEBTENSIONING DEVICE George L. Bezold, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to TheHamilton Autographic Register Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation-ofOhio hpplication February a, 1934, Serial No. 109,656 160mm. (01.191-133) This invention relates to a device for typewriting machinesutilizing continuous length stationery. In this class of typewritingmachines the typing unit travels upon rails over a flat platen uponwhich the stationery is held. The continuous .length stationery, usuallyin a plural number of compiled strips, is either roll wound or packagedflat by zigzag folding, from which supply pack it is withdrawn and fedover the platen of the typewriting machine presenting several strips insuperposed arrangement, and above'the platen is interleafed withmanifolding or carbon sheets or strips for making manifold copies of thetyping.

The strip stationery usually is provided wi punchings, folding or tearlines in the spacing between the fcrms pre-printed upon the strips, ordefining prescribed sheet lengths into which the strip is divided andwhich are used for gauging the foremost form or sheet length of theseveral superposed strips appropriately upon the platen and in relativeregistration. The forward end of the platen carries pins or otheranchoring means for engaging and holding the paper. When pins areemployed they engage through the punchings in the strip, anchoring theforward end upon the platen so that a rearward tension can be applied tothe strip for tautly bringing the same over the platen.

The present invention is directed to a tension device for each web orstrip employed, located in rear of the writing platen of the typewritingmachine and preferably between the rear extensions of the railstranslatably supporting the M- ing carriage, to apply and maintain ayielding rearward pull or tension upon the webs to smooth out anta'utlypresent the same upon or over the writing platen. 1

An object of the invention is to provide a ten- 40 sion device forcontinuous length stationery in a typewriting machine for guidinglysustaining the stationery in edge alignment with the platen of thewriting machine, and for exerting a yielding tension or back pullthereon to smooth out and tautly present the paper upon the writingplaten and constantly maintain the same in such condition while typingthereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for applyingtension to a web or continuous length of stationery to hold the sametautly over a platen and comprising a pair of parallel rods forgrippingly engaging the web therebetween, and as a unit translatablymounted and under tension in one direction to apply a yielding pull uponthe webs, one of the rods rotat-' able-or swivelled for contact with theother to impinge the web' therebetween, and separable therefrom byrotating the'same resulting from translating the device in a counterwisedirection.

Other objects and advantages of. the invention 5 will be more fully set'forth in the description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a commercial typewritingmachine within which the tensioning apparatus of the present invention10 is installed, preferably within therear rail extension thereof.

a Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section through the improved webtension applying apparatus for handling a group or a plurality of 15continuous lengths paper webs or strips and mounted within the rearwardrail extension of a typewriting machine.

- Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the actuatedparts in an adjusted position for releasing the webs or strips so thatthey can, with freedom, be advanced or adjusted. Figure 6 is an enlargedsectional view of a 'por- 25 in'on of the apparatus with the partsadjusted as shown in Figure 5 and taken on a line 6-6, Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a central section of the apparatus with a section raised toa vertically inclined position for loading. I

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus threaded with websor strips of different width and one edge of one of the strips guided bya guide collar adjustably fixed upon one of the strip gripping rods of atension unit.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged plan view of one set of strip gripping rods fora tension unit; and

Figure 11 is a. detailed section taken on line 40 ll-ll, Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings, and to Figure 1 thereof, diagrammaticallydisclosing a commercial typewriting machine of the class to which thepresent invention is applicable, I indicates a frame or pedestal uponwhich the typewriting machine is mounted. The typewriting. machine ingeneral comprises a pair'of horizontally disposed rails 2, upon whichthe typewriting unit 3 travels. A stationary printing platen or table isfixed appropriately to the frame between the rails and extends within aforward section thereof. '4 indicates-a reel or feeding device for thecarbon or manifolding paper strips mounted alongside the rail 2, and lia table or shelf.

The rear sections of the rails are connected together, by several crossconnecting rods 6 suitably spaced, which provide supports for sustainingthe web or strip guiding and tensioning device of the present invention.

The device is arranged to be conveniently'installed between the rearwardextension of the rails and the operative parts connected with a foottreadle of the typewriting machine. The device consists of a pair ofspaced side walls or bars 1, 1, rigidly connected at their oppositelongitudinal ends by cross rods 8, I, to forma rectangular frame as themain or outer frame of the device. The edges of the side walls at theiropposite ends are notched for interlockingly engaging with the crossconnecting rods of the rails of the typewriting machine. The outer frameof the device thus seats or rests upon the cross rods of the rails.

The side walls I, I, of the main frame, each is provided with adownwardly depending arm or bracket 9 rigidly fixed in place, the pairforming journals for rotatively supporting a supply roll of stationery.The lower ends of the bracket arms are suitably notched for removablyreceiving and journalling a spindle I! of the supply roll of stationery.The framing, however, may if desired, be provided with additional rollsupporting brackets.

As shown in the drawings, some of the stationery is roll wound, whileother is fiat packed and taken as used from a carton in which thestationery is originally packed for storage shipment.

A second or inner frame is hingedly mounted within the main or outerframe and comprises a pair of spaced sheet metal side walls II, II,connected at their opposite longitudinal ends by cross rods l2, 12, toprovide a rigid rectangular frame structure.

This second or inner frame at its forward end is pivotally secured tothe main frame, adapting the same to be swung upwardly from its normalhorizontal position within the main frame, as shown in Figure 5, to anupright or vertical position as shown in Figure 7 for loading. Itsupward swing is limited by stop pins ll extending inwardly from theinner side of the side walls of the main frame and when in itshorizontal position within the main frame rests upon pins ll extendinglaterally or inwardly from the inner side of the side walls of the mainframe, or from the depending brackets.

The inner frame 'hingedly carries a series of cooperating cross rods orbars, one set for each of the number of strips of stationery employedand, as illustrated, the device is equipped for handling ten strips. Thenumber, however, is optional, depending upon the capacity required. Aseparate and independent set of rods is employed for guiding andtensioning each strip of stationery, although unitarily andsimultaneously controlled to free the strips when required to adjust oradvance the same. As the tensioning means for each strip are ofduplicate construction, the description thereof as to specific detailwill only be directed to one set.

Each set, therefore, comprises a rigid or nonrotatable rod or bar lhaving its opposite ends respectively engaged or fixed to the upper endsof a pair of arms or levers l6, each pivoted at its lower end to theouter side of a corresponding side wall I l of the inner frame. Thesecond rod or bar I! is of segmental form in cross section or of acontour to provide. a flat or plane tangential surface l8 adjacent andlongitudinally parallel with the fixed rod I! to engage therewith forgripping or impinging the strip when threaded therebetween. The secondrod I! at each of its opposite ends is provided with a pintle extensioneach engaged through the upper or free end of one of the levers ii toswivel or journal therein. The rod has its journal axis preferablyeccentric or slightly offset and disposed at an elevation slightly abovethe plane of the axis of the stationary or fixed rod, adapting theswiveled rod I! to be normally urged by gravity into contact orengagement with the periphery of the fixed rod to bind or impinge thestrip therebetween. The strip is threaded upwardly between the rods andthen extends forwardly over the swiveled rod and in.a,- direction towardthe writing table of the writing machine to which the forward end ofthe-strip is fixed. Upon any advancing motion of the paper or retardinginfluence of the rods thereupon, the traction of the strip upon the rodrotatively urges the rod in a direction increasing its grip or impinginghold upon the stationary and fixed rod. The eccentricity of the axis ofthe swiveled rod or its peculiar contour, serves to elf-balance the rodso that it will swing by gravity to engage or contact its tangentialsurface with the fixed rod.

Both of the rods, at their respective opposite ends, extend beyond oracross the top edge of the side walls of the inner frame to contacttherewith and stop or limit the oscillating stroke of the levers and thebars as a tension-applying unit. The levers and rods as a unit areretracted by a pair of springs l9, l9, one for each lever, each havingone end fixed to the lever toward the upper end thereof and its oppositeend to a corresponding side wall of the inner frame for applying arearward tension to the strip engaged between the rods for holding thesame tautly upon or over the writing table or platen of the writingmachine. As shown in Figure 4, the parts are in full retreat position atwhich the fixed rod contacts with the upper edges of the side walls ofthe inner frame, limiting the retreat stroke of the levers and rearwardtraverse of the unit. The springs are positioned so that the tension isnot unduly increased for the full arc of movement allowed, therebyavoiding applying an excessive pressure or tension upon the strip whichmay strain or cause it to tear apart along a fold or tearline betweenthe writing or form spaces and at all times they impart or apply atension sufficient to hold and maintain the sheet tautly over thewriting table.

The gripping or impinging contact of the rods can be positively releasedfor freeing the strips to adjust or advance the same by moving thetension unit forwardly toward the writing table, bringing the swiveledrod into contact or engagement with the top edges of the sidewalls ofthe inner frame. The opposite ends of the swiveled rod which contactwith the upper edges of the side walls of the frame are of cam formationor contour for rotating the rod upon its axis as it is brought toforcibly bear upon the upper edges of the side walls, swiveling thesame, swinging its tangential face or fiat portion away from the fixedrod, spacing the rods to a degree suificient torelease or free the striptherebetween so that it can be unrestrictedly advanced or adjustedtherethrough.

The tension units of a series are simultaneously translated in a counterdirection controlling the swiveled rods of each unit for releasing thestrip impingement, by .a pair of rack bars 20, 20, respectively arrangedat the opposite ends of the rods along a row of levers l6 at a corre:sponding end of the rods.

A pair of rack bars are employed for equalizing purposes touniformlymove the tension units.

Each rack bar at its opposite longitudinal ends is pivotally connectedto a respective link 2|. The link 2| for one end of the rack bar ispivotally connected to a side wall of the inner frame, while the linkfor the opposite end of the rack bar is fixed to a rock shaft 22journalled in the side walls of the inner frame.

The rock shaft centrally of its length has a crank arm 23 fixed thereon,extending forwardly therefrom and pivotally attached to one end of aconnecting rod 24. The opposite end of the connecting rod 24 ispivotally connected at an intermediate point to a treadle lever 25supported upon a pedestal of the typewriting machine as shown inFigure 1. Each rack bar is provided with a plurality of teeth or tongues26, one for each tension unit, appropriately spaced apart and extendingupwardly from the upper longitudinal edge of the bar for engaging with apin or lug 21 extending laterally from the inner side of a relativelever 16.

Upon depressing the foot treadle lever 25, the rack bars 20 areunitarily shifted forward carrying the tension units therewith, slackingthe strips. When the unit has been moved to engage the ends of theswiveled rod upon the upper edge of the side walls of the inner framethe rod is rotated or swiveled movingits tangential surface away fromthe fixed rod, releasing the grip upon the strip. The strip can then beadjusted or advanced to bring a second form or sheet lengthappropriately over and upon the writing platen for typing and issuingthe previously typed foremost portion which is torn or severed from thesheet.

Upon releasing the treadle for a retreat of the rack bars, the swiveledrod of the tension unit is again free to swivel or revolve and contactwith its companion fixed rod moving by gravity and aided by the tractionpull imposed thereon by the sheet which loops over the swivel roll inextending forward to the writing platen.

The tension units, under the action of the springs in a retreating orreceding stroke, draw the strip therewith until it becomes taut over thewriting table to present a fiat writing surface for making clear writingimpression thereon, and thereupon constantly maintained under tension.

To ofl'er greater convenience and access for loading or threading thestrips, each between a set of rods of the tension units, the inner framebeing pivoted to the outer frame can be swung upwardly to a verticalslightly reclining or inclined position as shown in Figure I. In suchposition the balance of swiveled rods is changed so,

that they will swivel by gravity in a direction to bring the tangentialsurface of one rod away from its respective companion rod, therebyautomatically separating the rods and providing ample spacingtherebetween for freedom of passage of the strip, and as soon as theframe is lowered the rods of each unit are automatically broughttogether impinging or gripping the paper therebetween,

After such initial loading operation, the operator upon depressing thetreadle immediately releases the strips for freely advancing oradjusting 7 the same over the writing platen and immediately uponrelease of the treadle the strips are again gripped and tension appliedthereon ready to proceed with the typing. It is obvious that the. griprods can be mounted to move in any horizontal line instead of an are asresulting from mounting the rods at their opposite ends upon a pair oflevers and the swiveled rod controlled by traction through itsperipheral engagement with the top edges of the side walls. Likewise,the double frame structure can also be eliminated if the tension unitsare directly built intothe typewriter although as an attachment it isreadily available in used typewriting machines.

, It is also desirable that the strips be longitudlnally guided to alignthe edges with the longitudinal edges of the platen or. present the samein parallelism therewith and for handling various widths ofstationery.,For this purpose a pair of longitudinal guide strips 28, 28, are pro-.vided, positioned intermediate of the inner frame and at their oppositelongitudinal ends are adjustably secured to a pair of cross rods of theframing, the guide strips serving a group of paper strips of the samewidth. When the individual paper strips of a group are of relativelydifferent widths, each strip is individually guided by one or aplurality of guide collars 29 adjustably mohnted upon the fixed rod of atension unit as shown in Figures 8 and-'9. The swiveled rod is notchedat intervals of its length to receive or straddle 'a collar as is shownin Figure 11. The strips of a same or diiferent width can be relativelyoff-set, one edge aligned .with a longitudinal guide strip 28 and anopposite edge by a collar 29 on the fixed grip rod.

Having described my invention. I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and meanslocated between a supply of continuous length stationery and saidtypewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over theplaten, comprising, a pair of parallel rods between which the paper webis threaded and engaged over onethereof for lead- .ing the web towardthe platen, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other andgripping the web therebetween and the impinging force augmented by thetractive action of the web upon said rod,said rods unitarilytranslatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in aretreat direction for tensioning the paper.

2. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and meanslocated between a supply of continuous length stationery and saidtypewriter platen for applying-tension to the paper engaged over theplaten, comprising, a frame, and a pair of rods adjacently disposedbetween which the paper web from the supply'to the platen isthreaded,'one of said rods journaled to swing by gravity toward theother and contact therewith for gripping-the paper therebetween, saidrods carried by said frame and unitarily translatable toward and fromthe platen and yieldlngly urged in a retreat direction for tensioningthe paperover the .platen and said frame s'hiftable to a positionchanging the center of gravity of said journaled rod for automaticallyswinging it to a retreat positionaway from the other rod for freedom inthreading the webbetween said rods.

3. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and meanslocated between a supply of continuous length stationery and saidtypewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over theplaten, comprising, a pair of parallel rods between which the paper webisthreaded and engaged over one thereof for leading the web toward theplaten, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other and grippingthe webtherebetween and the impinging force augmented by the tractiveaction of the web upon said rod, said rods unitarily translatable towardand from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction fortensioning the paper, a stationary rail engageable by said leading rod,and control means for translating said rods as a unit counter to itsyielding retreat, engaging the leading rod upon said rail and bytraction thereon paper engaged over the platen, comprising, a

frame, a pair of rods adjacently disposed between which the paper webfrom the supp to the platen is threaded, one of said rods journaled toswing by gravity toward the other and contact therewith for gripping thepaper therebetween, said rods carried by said frame and unitarilytranslatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in aretreat direction for tensioning the paper over the platen and saidframe shiftable to a position changing the .center of gravity of saidjournaled rod for automatically swinging it to a retreat position awayfrom the other rod for freedom in threading the web between said rods,and control means for translating said rods as a unit in a directioncounter to its yielding retreat, engaging said journalled rod on an edgeof said frame and by traction thereon swiveling the same for separatingthe rods from contact with one another giving freedom to the web.

5. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and meanslocated between a supply of continuous length stationery and saidtypewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over theplaten, comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the paper webis threaded and engaged over one thereof for leading the web toward theplaten, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other and grippingthe web therebetween and the impinging force augmented by the tractiveaction of the web upon said rod, said rods unitarily translatable towardand from the platen and yieldingly urged in a, retreat direction fortensioning the paper, and means for positively moving said rods as aunit in a direction toward the platen to slacken the web.

6. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying tension to a web ofpaper, a frame, a pair of rods adjacently disposed to receive the web ofpaper therebetween, lever arms pivotally mounted on said frame forrelatively supporting said rods in compressive contact to grip the web,and translate the same as a unit, one of said rods as a strip leadingrod eccentrically swiveled on said lever arms and engageable with anedge of said frame, means for yieldingly urging, said lever swivelingthe same to separate said rods for web freedom therebetween.

7. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying individually to aplurality of webs of paper from a supply source to a platen, the webs ofthe series presented in superposed arrangement upon the platen and attheir forward end secured thereto, a tension unit for each web of theseries comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the web isthreaded and engagingv over one thereof in a direction leading to theplaten, one of said rods eccentrically pivoted and movable by gravityand by the tractive action of the web thereon into contact. with theother for gripping the web therebetween, a rail engageable by saideccentrically pivoted rod, each tension unit translatable toward andfrom the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction fortensioning the web upon the platen and a single control means for all ofthe tension units of the series for simultaneously moving the units in-a direction to slacken the webs engaging said eccentrically pivoted rodagainst said rail and by traction thereon swiveling the rodforseparating the rods of each respective unit from contact with oneanother giving freedom to the webs.

8. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying individually to aplurality of webs of paper from a supply source to a platen, the webs ofthe series presented in superposed arrangement upon the platen and attheir forward end secured thereto, :a frame for supporting a pluralityof tension units, a tension unit for each web of. the

series comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the web isthreaded and engaging over one thereof in a direction leading to theplaten, one of said rods eccentrically pivoted and movable by gravityand by the tractive action of the web thereon into contact with theother for gripping the web therebetween, each tension unit translatableupon said frame toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in aretreat direction for tensioning the web upon the platen,

and a single control means for all of the tension units of the seriesfor simultaneously moving the units in a direction to slacken the websengaging the eccentrically pivoted rods of each unit against an edge ofthe frame and by traction thereon swiveling the eccentrically pivotedrods each away from contact with its companion rod for giving freedom tothe webs, said frame hingedly mounted adapting the same to be swung to aposition at which the leading rod of each tension unit willautomatically move away from its companion rod.

9. In a' typewriting machine, a platen over which strip stationery isadapted to be moved and means located between the supply of stationeryand platen for applying tension to the portion of the stationerypositioned over the platen and held thereon at its forward end,comprising, a pair of rods between which the stationery passes andengages over one rod thereof for leading the stationery toward theplaten, said rods mounted for unitary movement in an arc toward and fromthe platen and'yieldingly urged in a direction from the platen, saidleading rod eccentrically journalled for swiveling under the tractionpull of the stationery thereon induced by the yielding retreating forceof said rods for contacting with the other of said rods and gripping thestationery therebetween for applying a pull on the portion of thestationery on the platen 1,99e,esc

which strip stationery is adapted to be moved and means located betweenthe supply of stationery and platen for applying tension to the portionof the stationery positioned over the platen and held thereon at itsforward end, comprising, a frame, a pair of rods between which thestationery passes and engages over one rod thereof for leading thestationery toward the platen, said rods mounted on said frame forunitary movement in an arc toward and from the platen and yieldinglyurged in a retreat direction, said leading rod eccentrically journalledfor swiveling under the traction pull of the stationery thereon inducedby the yielding retreating force of said rods for contacting saidleading rod against its companion rod, gripping the stationerytherebetween, and applying a pull on the portion of the stationery overthe platen of the typewriting machine, said leading rod in a forwardtranslation arranged for contact with an edge of the frame, and bytraction thereon to be swiveled away from contact with its companionrod.

GEORGE L. BEZOLD.

